PACIFIC WATCH

Japan

Sales of U.S.-Made Autos Jump: Sales of imported vehicles, led by U.S.-made models, rose 49.6% in July to 30,467, marking the ninth straight year-on-year gain, the Japan Automobile Importers' Assn. said. U.S.-made cars shot up 78.8% from a year earlier to 10,359; German cars rose 7.6% to 10,398. Of the U.S. total, Honda Motor Co. sales topped the list with 6,054 cars, up 104.2% from a year ago. But industry analysts also say improvements in cars made by U.S. companies are helping to boost the import figure. Sales by the Big Three car makers saw healthy growth in July. Chrysler Corp.'s totaled 1,370, up 129.5%, and Ford Motor Co.'s were 1,289, up 105.6%. But General Motors Corp.'s sales fell 13.6% to 727.